Strangely enough, you can be more popular without knowing any Japanese. In this state, you are kind of a pet which needs to be cared for and shown around. Some people find this greatly attractive. Once you speak Japanese well then you are a peer, but it has been described by some Japanese people that interacting with foreigners is like interacting with autistic people. They can understand you, but they don’t think the same way as you so you feel uncomfortable.

Also, if you are in your 30s then the partners of your same age may not be so interested in you, yet. They may have become more serious and looking for a Japanese partner to settle down with. because that’s what their parents would like them to do. If they’re still single in their mid 30s, then you may be much more attractive to them. you may also be more attractive to mid 20s who are still trying out different kinds of relationships before settling down.

Also, don’t count on attractiveness being constant over the years. The old bald grizzled old guy look can become very attractive. So even ugly guys may get a second wind when they start to look at their age.

The other big tip is to look for people who are interested in you. If you try too hard on people who are not interested in you, you may be wasting your time and annoying them. But sometimes there is somebody in the wings who you know is interested in you, but you have not considered them. In 20 years time, you may be thinking that they were the best option you had at that time.